It is with great sadness that I write to the people of Poplar Bluff informing you that the Federal Courts have handed down a decision opposing our petition.

I believe that Open Access is the single most powerful impetus to true growth for our city, but at every turn this belief has been thwarted, ridiculed and fought by our city officials.

I congratulate Doug Bagby and the City Council. As you enjoy your victory and pat each other on the back for a job well done, I hope that you recognize you silenced your citizens, you deafened yourselves to the point of harm, and spent city funds to defeat the desires of the citizens who put you in office.

My family has been praying for Doug and each Council member by name, almost every day, out of obedience to the instructions of our Lord Jesus. We will continue to pray for God’s blessings upon their families.

To Barbara Rexroat, Kaye Carda and the ACLU, I personally and publically bless you for being hero’s in our community. Character is defined by actions, not by outcome.

God bless you all!